6 Conditions That Can Make Your Back Hurt

If you often wake up in the morning with back pain, you are not alone. Back pain is a common problem that affects more than 29% of the population aged 18 and up. Unfortunately, determining the source of your back discomfort can be difficult. 

It’s rare for anyone to pinpoint exactly what causes their back discomfort to flare up. That’s why it is better to contact a pain management doctor for a thorough diagnosis and treatment.  However, if you can identify the underlying cause, you will be better prepared to avoid the pain in the future. In this article, we have gathered six conditions that can make your back hurt. 

1. Muscle strain

Muscle strain is the most prevalent cause of back pain. How many times have you gone to get something and immediately felt an aching in your back? This is because you are overworking your muscles.

This is frequently caused by raising the entire burden with your back rather than utilizing your knees to reduce strain. However, this can happen if you are attempting to lift anything that is excessively heavy. You’ll have to wait for those muscles to recover completely before the aches go gone.

2. Herniated disc

A lumbar disc’s jelly-like core might rupture and irritate a surrounding nerve root. The herniated section of the disc contains proteins that generate inflammation when they affect a nerve root, and nerve root discomfort is caused by both inflammation and nerve compression. 

The disc wall is likewise densely packed with nerve fibers, and a rip through the wall can result in intense pain. Maintaining a healthy weight, excellent posture throughout the day, and an active lifestyle can all help to reduce your chance of herniated disc.

3. Cervical spondylosis

This problem is caused by the slow disintegration of your neck as you age. There is a chance of a slipped disk there, or the vertebrae may sprout additional bone called spurs to try to increase strength. 

The ligaments that link the vertebrae might stiffen and tighten over time. Whatever the cause, you may experience pain and a limited range of motion. If disks or vertebrae press heavily on nerves and nerve roots, an irreversible injury may result.

4. Degenerative disc disease

Spinal discs naturally undergo degenerative changes as they age, making them less able to endure shear stresses. As stresses are passed through the disc, cracking and tearing in the disc’s robust outer ring might occur (annulus). 

These annular fractures and rips may generate discomfort on their own, or they may cause the disc’s inner core to herniate, potentially causing nerve irritation and pain. Other degenerative alterations in the disc may cause it to collapse and lead to stenosis.

5.  Osteoporosis

One of the most frequent spine concerns in elderly persons is osteoporosis. It refers to weaker bones caused by a decrease in bone mass. Weakened spine bones become brittle and fragile, resulting in fractures, collapsed vertebrae, and a stooped posture. 

There are few signs until the bones are already osteoporotic. You may attempt to avoid this by leading an active lifestyle and eating a nutritious diet high in calcium and vitamin D to make your bones stronger.

6. Scoliosis

When seen from the side, your spine has a natural curve that looks like an “S,” with your upper back bending backward and your lower back curving forward. Scoliosis is a spinal abnormality that can cause back discomfort if your spine bends sideways. 

When the spine curves incorrectly, it increases the likelihood of lumbar joint and disk deterioration. Scoliosis does not usually require treatment, although severe curvature can put tremendous stress on the lower back and cause pain.